1916.9.274
Name and identification of character
A demon mask of the gara group, molan gara (Sin.).
Context
A demon character in the demon dance in Kolam, Gara Nätuma (Sin.), in the demon ceremony Gara Yakuma (vide Preface), and in the finale of the god-rituals called Devolmaduva and Gammaduva.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The headdress is composed of three cobra-hoods. Two cobras flank the centre cobra, and frame the forehead of the mask in a decorative way. The centre cobra-hood is spread out and rises from the bridge of the nose. The eyebrows are ornamented in petal designs and painted in yellow and black. Protruding eyes. Broad nose. The mouth is wide and the gums painted in red. The lower jaw is moveable. The ear-discs are decorated in petal designs and painted in yellow, blue and red. The discs are popularly referred to as vatapat (Sin.), meaning round leaf fans. The two fangs are missing, although they can be seen in the Umlauff Catalogue.
2000 07 26
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka